Kuki-Zo women protest Jiribam killing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, November 08 2024: Kuki-Zo women held sit-in protest at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district on Friday in protest against the killing of one Zosangkim Hmar of Zairawn (Zairon) village, Jiribam on Thursday.

With voices raised and banners held high, the protesters demanded accountability and protection of Kuki-Zo people with the formation of a Union Territory with legislature to safeguard rights of the Kuki-Zo community.

A moment of silence was also observed in honour of Zosangkim, whom the community accorded as a martyr.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) raised concerns over whether incidents like the one at Jiribam on Thursday evening will ever be fully acknowledged by national media or addressed by Delhi's corridors of power.

Without structural protections, the Kuki-Zo community remains vulnerable to continued violence, CoTU said and issued a strong warning that Kuki-Zo community would take pre-emptive measures against any further brutal attacks or killings on their land.

On the other hand, the Hmar Inpui said that Zosangkim Hmar (31), wife of Ngurthansang Hmar of Zairawn village lost her life in a brutal act of violence on the night of November 7 .

According to a statement of Hmar Inpui-general headquarters, Zosangkim was shot in the leg, rendering her unable to escape.

The attackers then burned her alive denying her even the dignity of an honourable burial.

When her remains were later discovered, fragments of her brain lay beside her charred body, the statement said adding that Zosangkim's sacrifice shall be a call to action.

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